Principal's Panui

This week we have celebrated our international students through a banquet of fine foods during multicultural week. Each day our staff and students enjoyed a selection of delights from around the globe, including nanaimo bars from Canada, pad Thai from Thailand, aloo paratha from India, and today, onigiri from Japan. We have loved this opportunity to taste our way around the world…all the way from the food tech room! I would like to acknowledge the fantastic leadership of our multicultural leader Tiara Tiania. She has been ably supported by her team of student leaders including Maddy Sweetman and Siobhan Ellis, and our students from around the globe. Special thanks to Mrs McMillan for the onigiri today – oishī!

With school ball season ahead of us, there are a few students stressed about their attendance. All students attending the ball need to have at least 80% attendance. This is the equivalent of attending school 8/10 school days. It’s not much to ask. Students who have been off sick with Covid or flu need not worry – their attendance code takes this into account and these days do not count as days missed. For a few students, they will need to get their attendance sorted by coming everyday now – it’s not much to ask when it comes to staying engaged socially and academically. We are looking forward to the ball and seeing everyone in their finery. Ball permission slips and details have been emailed home, and are to be completed via the online forms.

With only three weeks left of term, we encourage you all to look after yourselves and your wellbeing. At assembly today, Ms Campbell presented some practical strategies for students to manage anxiety during stressful times. This was well-received by everyone and we will continue to share ideas with students as a regular part of our assembly time.

Kapa Haka and mau rakau was also showcased at today’s assembly with a demonstration of mau rakau. Our students have just begun this work with Matua Jerry, and we can see their mana enhanced by this experience. We are excited to work with students from Grey High and Westland High on this initiative, and we encourage everyone to get involved. Many thanks to Maddy Sweetman for her leadership in this space, and to Jack and Samantha from Grey High for sharing your stories about your journey with kapa haka and mau raukau with our school.

Wishing you all a safe and relaxing weekend.

Ngā mihi nui

Renée Hutchinson

Principal